LETTING GO…BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR

Those of you who know me know that my license plate says “LETTINGO”. It has been that way for years. Little did I know.

Visiting Mexico in January 2017 was an eye opener for a lifelong romantic. The idea of living in an exotic foreign country excited me to no end.  San Miguel de Allende (our first destination) is MAGICO! It is a Spanish colonial city and a World UNESCO Heritage site buzzing with life. But in reality, we knew it was becoming too expensive, too densely populated and has hot summers/cold winters.

Let it go.  Find another place.  Europe?  Too far.  Too expensive.  So we made contacts that led us to this village of Ajijic.  Perfect.  Lots of expats.  Lake Chapala Society to guide us.  Don’t have to speak Spanish but plenty of opportunities to learn.  Perfect climate-temperate, mild winters and summers.  (Except for the month of May which they say is quite hot and many people who can, leave.) Paradise found.

With each consecutive visit, we find more and more expats moving here. Rentals are harder to find unless you book 6 months out-which we realized too late!  Properties are available – but you better have at least $350,000 to spend for a 2 B/B with no extras.  Want a view?  You’ll pay big time.  Let it go.  Can you dream it and then manifest it? Who knows.  Can you find a balance between fantasy and reality? Who knows.  That being said, we both stand amazed at how many doors have opened for us up to this point. How many interesting, kind, and accepting people we’ve met.

A couple of months ago Ben decided we couldn’t wait until September to find a place for December as a couple of realtors had recommended.  He spent hours on Airbnb until he found what seemed a small, acceptable condo in a town we’d been to west of Ajijic.  With public transportation (9 pesos – about 50 cents per trip) it should be doable.  He booked it for 2 months then added 3 weeks (already taken after that) and we felt like we had a good starting point.  We could spend that time exploring the little village of San Juan Cosala AND find a long-term rental for later.

The owner of the condo who lives in Guadalajara – an hour away – agreed to pick us up and take us to see the place.  Very sweet young woman who speaks 4 languages, studied in Italy, works for a Mexican publisher and wants to become a diplomat.  The conversation was lively – she encouraged my Spanish but speaks excellent English.

We soon realized that she was driving past the town of San Jan Cosala, into a small, obviously poor area then into a small, manicured gated community.  (I’ve sworn all along I’d never live in a gated community.  Let it go.) We soon met her sister and her incredibly delightful parents.  Her father was so proud of his family and shared stories of their lives and whereabouts as they walked us through the condo and around the grounds.

But the space was shockingly small and the drive much farther than expected.  We found ourselves offended that the address had been misrepresented.  We came back to our apartment in Ajijic (the one we wish we’d reserved for longer) and frantically looked for another place.  NOTHING.  NADA.  Let it go.

Gradually we have both worked through how it would be to live there for 2 1/2 months.  Where would we put stuff we think we need/use daily?  How would we get around?  Where would we shop? All those preconceived notions went flying out the door.  Let it go.  We wanted to downsize, leave a smaller footprint.  Be careful what you ask for.

Many folks who’ve done this tell us we will have a wide range of emotions, feel crazy, depressed, overwhelmed, stuck.  Seems like we’ve hit a wall right now – what if we do NOT find a place in February? What if our dream hits a dead end?

A dear friend wrote this morning: “Life is good.  It all works out.  It always does.  Nothing is forever..The Universe has a way of providing.  Enjoy.  Transitions are always hard…Life is bigger beyond the walls of where you are living.”  Thank you Norma.

We asked for this.  So let it go.  Let it be what it will be.  If nothing else it is an amazing adventure.

PS: Walking down the street this morning, digging in my bag for my phone, I tripped over a broken sidewalk and was down before I knew it.  Feeling yourself falling and being unable to stop is absolutely terrifying. After a few minutes I was able to move and asked a passer-by to help us.  A nearby Mexican man came within minutes and immediately took us in his car to the clinic 3 blocks away.  A very kind English-speaking Dr. Rodriquez did everything – including an x-ray (negative) – but check me in and out.   I was sent home with antibiotics and the recommendation for 2 days of rest.  The whole experience in the clinic took less than 40 minutes.  The cost for that visit was $1000 pesos-$50!  Thanks to him and to my dear Ben who has been amazing.  Much love. Watch where you’re walking friends. Toes up, heels down, nose pointed toward the ground! My new motto.